Chapter 24
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Forty minutes ago.
Deputy Director Feng Ji of Special Affairs Division Five strode into the vice principal’s office wearing black combat boots, halting before Soro and Parri. With a forceful kick, he sternly reprimanded, “Trying to make arrests without sufficient evidence, have you no shame? Have you forgotten all the regulations and principles of Division Five? Who gave you the audacity to abuse your authority! Upon your return, you will be suspended for one month and submit a reflection report. Both of you will be demoted to Deputy Inspector Grade Two!”
Soro and Parri stood upright, only swaying slightly from the pain of the kick, then regaining their balance. They remained silent, their heads bowed.
Lu Fenghan, with a cold gaze, assessed that the newcomer was likely the deputy director of Division Five. Upon entering, he publicly chastised Soro and Parri, imposing suspensions and demotions. This display was not only a show of authority, but also a way to say, “I’ve handled their misconduct. Let’s move on.”
Leto, the Alliance’s central hub, was a tangle of competing interests. Rising from first-grade inspector was no easy feat. With both men demoted, Lu Fenghan grudgingly admitted the deputy director displayed some sense and did the right thing.
After exchanging pleasantries with Vice Principal Caroline, Feng Ji turned to Qi Yan, adopting a softer tone. “I apologize. These two individuals were too impetuous in their actions, overly eager for success. Not only did they almost apprehend the wrong person and mishandle the situation, but they also almost let the real traitor slip away. This will be a lesson for them. They will definitely not make the same mistake again. I will announce the relevant punishments to serve as a warning to everyone in Division Five.”
Qi Yan nodded, understanding the situation. After some thought, he spoke up, “Today, it’s just me.”
Today, it was him, with the vice principal’s guarantee, Lu Fenghan’s intervention, and another set of personal data classified as Level 3S.
But if it had been someone else, how could they have proven their innocence in such a situation?
Feng Ji grasped Qi Yan’s implication.
He wore a solemn expression. “I will do my utmost to prevent such incidents from occurring.”
Then, Feng Ji opened a file and provided a detailed introduction. “During my journey here, I investigated all relevant personnel in your laboratory and found no issues. As you know, the rebels are becoming increasingly cunning in concealing their activities, posing significant challenges to our investigations.”
He pulled up a densely packed page of data. “Afterwards, using the personal terminal of a buyer codenamed ‘Mantis,’ we reconstructed deleted data and, after thorough analysis, found a lead.”
Caroline leaned forward, her voice cautious. “What are the findings?”
Feng Ji switched to another image. Projected before them was an identification photo.
He glanced at Qi Yan. “You should recognize him.”
Qi Yan gazed at the person in the projection. “He’s in the same class as me.”
“Indeed, this student named Laurent is in his second year at Turan Academy. Our investigation revealed that in the second semester of his first year, after joining the research group, he came into contact with a standard research project. ‘Mantis’ approached him and expressed interest in purchasing his research data, which Laurent agreed to.”
Caroline couldn’t help but admonish, “How foolish!”
The Alliance and the rebels had been locked in a standoff for over half a century. As a prominent academic center in Leto, Turan had always been a primary target for the rebels.
This resulted in many outstanding students being deliberately approached by individuals like “Mantis,” employing various tactics that were hard to evade. The school’s only recourse was to rigorously select and screen students, provide proper guidance, enforce regulations prohibiting the removal of classified items from the laboratory, and enhance detection methods.
But human nature was always unpredictable.
Feng Ji: “To avoid attracting attention with a large lump sum, Laurent received three million star coins in installments. The rebels are extremely cautious in their actions and ensured that Laurent left no traces. So, when ‘Mantis’ contacted Laurent again, his audacity exceeded that of the previous encounter.”
To the extent of wanting to use “Mantis” and Special Affairs Division Five to utterly ruin Qi Yan.
Upon hearing this, Parri remembered something. “The clues we obtained previously about ‘Mantis’—”
Feng Ji raised an eyebrow. “What do you think? It was Laurent who sent the information.”
Soro crossed his arms. “Isn’t this Laurent afraid of being implicated himself?”
“Of course not. Individuals like ‘Mantis’ are dime a dozen to the rebels. Unlike him, someone like Laurent, with a promising future, will be meticulously protected and have all his desires fulfilled to keep him supplying intel. He’s currently holding Level B classified information, but as Laurent progresses, the information he can provide will be at Level A or even higher. So, Laurent isn’t concerned about being implicated if ‘Mantis’ is caught.”
Feng Ji sighed. “He’s well aware of his importance to the rebels and knows how to utilize ‘Mantis’ to ensure his own actions remain undetected.”
Soro stared at Laurent’s photo. “Who would’ve thought we almost fell into a student’s trap?” Recalling the words of Qi Yan’s bodyguard, he added, “If I fall into it again next time, I should really throw my uniform and badge into the wormhole.”
Feng Ji’s expression was stern. “Still thinking there will be a next time? Consider this a lesson! Go back and reflect on your actions! Now, take the person away.”
Before leaving, Feng Ji instinctively glanced towards where Lu Fenghan was standing, only catching a fleeting silhouette.
Despite the individual’s efforts to minimize his presence, the subtle aura of danger convinced him that this person must have seen frontline combat.
Additionally, his appearance seemed vaguely familiar, although he couldn’t recall where he had seen him before.
Soon, he dismissed the thought—given Qi Yan’s security clearance, it was only natural to have military personnel protecting him.
Furthermore, the military operated in a structured manner. If their Special Affairs Division Five were to extend their reach, it would be considered taboo.
He shook his head, realizing he had become overly suspicious from his time in the Special Affairs Division Five.
Remembering something else, Feng Ji informed Qi Yan, “By the way, there are two more things. Firstly, the anonymous tip-off to the Academic Management Departments regarding your academic fraud last time was from Laurent.
“Secondly, while investigating Laurent’s personal terminal, we discovered his communication with someone. From their exchanges, we learned that someone harbors great malice towards you and has spent millions of star coins to persuade Laurent to scheme to expel you from Turan.”
Lu Fenghan: “Can you confirm the identity?”
Feng Ji: “Not yet. The person is very cautious, using an unregistered communication number and revealing almost no information. We couldn’t find much for now. However, concerning Qi Yan’s safety, we will continue the investigation.”
Qi Yan nodded. “Thank you.”
Feng Ji smiled. “It’s the least we can do.”
Turan Academy’s forum.
“—Laurent has been taken away by the Special Affairs Division Five of the Security Bureau!”
“—Who? Laurent? Wasn’t Qi Yan taken away just now? Why another one? What’s going on?”
“—Newsflash, Qi Yan’s arrest was fake! No, it’s not fake either. Anyway, Laurent was handcuffed in the laboratory building by the Special Affairs Division. It’s said he sold research data to the rebels twice, earning million star coins. This time, he planned to frame Qi Yan while selling the data!”
“—There’s no evidence or logic behind calling Qi Yan a traitor. One has to wonder if your intelligence is intact.”
“—So, it’s not Qi Yan who colluded with the rebels, but Laurent? And he turned around to frame Qi Yan? Among the dubious individuals in Turan’s history, he surely ranks at the top for his cunning!”
As they exited Building D-77, a crowd had already gathered downstairs.
Laurent’s hands were cuffed, his head hung low.
Soro led the way, with people murmuring from a distance. He casually asked, “Why give up a promising future and collude with the rebels?”
“You don’t understand.” Laurent halted, tilting his head up to face Soro, his gaze dark. “What do you know? I can get money for a piece of information. It’s that simple. Why shouldn’t I take it? And in the future, as long as I can provide information, they will keep sending me money!”
Ever since Hedge was removed from the team and dismissed for leaking data, Laurent realized the significance of the research project he was involved in. He even had a premonition that the buyer would surely come looking for him, offering a high price.
As if trying to convince himself, “I need a lot of money, a lot and a lot of money! I’m not wrong. I want to wear good clothes, use good things, live in a good house. I earn my money with my skills. I’m not wrong!”
Soro grew tired of his ramblings. He grabbed Laurent’s collar and slammed him against the wall. “You earn it with your skills?”
Laurent winced in pain, but still smirked defiantly.
Soro raised his fist to strike, but Parri intervened. “No need to waste your energy here. He’ll have plenty of chances to pay the price later.”
Withdrawing his hand, Soro’s face darkened as he continued forward with his group.
As they approached the hovercar, Laurent caught sight of Qi Yan.
He made no effort to hide his malice. “Feeling proud now that no one’s going to steal your thunder and vie for next year’s spot on the research team with you?”
Qi Yan simply glanced at him silently, then walked away with Lu Fenghan.
Once they were out of earshot, Lu Fenghan asked Qi Yan, “Are you upset?”
“No,” Qi Yan replied, gazing at a classical sculpture nearby, puzzled. “I just don’t understand why he would do this. He might think he’s only selling some data and making a lot of money, but does he not realize that many people might die because of it?”
How could he not realize?
Meeting Qi Yan’s clear eyes, Lu Fenghan was unsure how to explain to him—some people were simply pure evil, lacking moral principles, sympathy, compassion, and human empathy. They wouldn’t feel guilty for their actions.
Even if you told them that their actions would result in many deaths, they would only answer, “What does it matter to me if those people die?”
Lu Fenghan had encountered many such individuals, and had even personally ordered the execution of such people.
But at this moment, Lu Fenghan didn’t want to tarnish Qi Yan’s innocence by recounting these horrors.
He was too pure.
Perhaps it was this kind of purity that enabled Qi Yan to still say, even after witnessing the assassination attempt of Turan’s principal by the rebels—
“But there are some things that we have to do, even if it means we might die at any moment.”
In the end, Lu Fenghan simply lightly poked Qi Yan’s face, which had cooled in the night breeze. “You don’t need to understand their thoughts, Qi Yan. You just need to do what you believe is right.”
Qi Yan didn’t pull away from Lu Fenghan’s finger, allowing him to touch his face. He didn’t press for further answers, only nodded and replied, “Okay.”
He withdrew his hand, his fingertip still carried a lingering coolness.
Lu Fenghan thought to himself, the person he was protecting, was truly like… a handful of snow.
Upon returning to the laboratory, Qi Yan immediately received warm greetings from Ye Pei and Mondrian. Despite the late hour, most of the people were still present.
Ye Pei patted her chest. “You didn’t come back, how could anyone rest easy? Thankfully, thankfully.”
She pounded the table twice. “Laurent really shattered my perception of human nature! Thank goodness he didn’t succeed. Otherwise, who knows what he would do next? Whenever he feels obstructed, he’d falsely accuse someone, and if he feels someone is more capable than him, he’d accuse them again! He almost made me faint with anger!”
Mondrian nodded. “Exactly. Scientific research should be a collision of different thoughts, with everyone striving towards a common goal.”
Ye Pei propped her chin on her hand. “Exactly!” Then she remembered. “Oh Qi Yan, did you retrieve your lost light storage device?”
Qi Yan spread his hands, revealing the light storage device he held. “Got it back. The Special Affairs Division returned it to me.”
“That’s good. The data inside wasn’t lost, right? You don’t have to stay up late anymore!” Ye Pei then exclaimed, “I’ll apply for a new light storage device for you. This one has been touched by Laurent and the rebels, it’s bad luck. Let’s all disdain it together!”
It was already midnight when they returned home, the twin moons hanging in the deep blue sky.
After showering, Qi Yan stood at the top of the stairs and looked down. “Lu Fenghan?”
He wore only a black nightgown, his pale legs peeking out from underneath, drawing the attention of the person below for no apparent reason.
Lu Fenghan ascended the stairs, holding a glass of water. “Looking for me?”
Taking the glass from Lu Fenghan, Qi Yan said, “I can’t find my book.”
“Which one?”
“The one with the brown cover.” Qi Yan stood barefoot on the ground, recalling the memory. “I remember, after finishing it, I placed it on the table by the window, but it’s gone.”
“Brown? The epic one?” Lu Fenghan led the way to the study and retrieved a book from the third row, fifth shelf. He handed it to Qi Yan. “Is it this one? You flipped through a few pages a few days ago and then put it back on the shelf.”
Qi Yan held the book, feeling the rough fabric cover beneath his fingers.
He remembered Lu Fenghan telling him, “If you can’t tell, you can always ask me.”
The intense emotions that had surfaced in the lab due to the uncertainty of memories seemed distant now.
This time, there was no need for Lu Fenghan to correct him. After a few seconds, Qi Yan admitted, “I remembered it wrong again.”
Lu Fenghan casually rearranged the paperback books on the shelf. The warm light softened the sharpness of his features, giving him an aura of gentleness.
He turned his head at the remark, casting his eyes on Qi Yan standing beside him. “Alright, noted, Little Scatterbrain.”
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Thanks for the update